ONE YEAR LATER

After witnessing the terrifying devastation from afar, the Omatikaya and their allies, along with Spider and Raven, retreated from the smoldering remains of the forest to the relative safety of the hidden High Camp community, nestled high in the Hallelujah Mountains.

The journey was tense and quiet, the weight of what they'd just witnessed hanging heavy in the air. The sky above was dark, the stars barely visible through the clouds of smoke that still clung to the horizon from the recent assault. Each of them carried the same unspoken fear: they were leaving their home behind, not knowing what would remain of it when they returned.

The High Camp, a hidden sanctuary far from the destructive reach of the Sky People, offered a temporary refuge. It was a place of sacred significance, high in the mountains, far from the world below. The Na'vi who lived here were skilled in survival, well-versed in navigating the difficult terrain, and knew how to stay hidden from the prying eyes of the Sky People. Even so, the safety it offered was only temporary.

The Omatikaya Clan was once again at war with the Sky People, forced to defend their sacred land from those who sought to destroy it for their own gain.

The fire of conflict burned anew, and the air was thick with the tension of an inevitable clash. Raven couldn't ignore the sense of dread that wrapped itself around her chest, squeezing tight with every passing moment. The Na'vi were skilled warriors, no doubt, but they didn't have the technology or firepower that the Sky People had. The humans fought with weapons of unimaginable destruction, and the Na'vi fought with their strength, their bonds with the land, and their ancestral skills. It felt like a losing battle, one where bows and arrows were no match for guns and gunships.

Raven knew the Omatikaya would fight with everything they had—but she couldn't shake the worry that it wouldn't be enough. Her mind kept circling back to the battle to come, to the faces of those she cared about. Lo'ak. Neteyam. Jake. Neytiri. What if something happened to them? What if they got hurt? What if they didn't survive?

She tried to push these thoughts away, telling herself to focus, to be strong, but they lingered in the back of her mind, gnawing at her. The battle was coming, and Raven didn't want anyone to get hurt—especially not her family, the Omatikaya.

In an effort to distract herself, she spent time with Kiri and Spider. They were both a welcome reprieve from her anxious thoughts, offering the kind of companionship that helped her push down the fear, at least for a little while.

Kiri had helped her get dressed in the traditional Na'vi style, a small but significant gesture of solidarity. Raven's brown hair, still in a braid, complemented the loose, flexible loincloth clothes she wore. The outfit was nearly identical to what Kiri herself wore, and Raven appreciated it. The shift in appearance made her feel more like part of the world she had come to love, part of the people who fought for it.

Spider, meanwhile, was engaged in his own pre-battle ritual. He was busy painting his body with fruit dye, mimicking the Na'vi's intricate body markings.

"I'm definitely faster when I'm blue." Spider said, grinning as he smeared the blue dye across his chest.

Kiri chuckled at his antics. "Skxawng."

"No, seriously. And the animals respect me more. They don't think of me as human." Spider said, applying more of the dye

Raven grabbed the blue fruit dye and smeared it across her arm, the cool color blending into her skin as she applied it with practiced strokes.

"It does definitely help with the animals." She said, half smiling as she looked down at her newly painted arm.

"Wait. You're human?" Kiri teased, raising an eyebrow.

"He ha." Raven said dryly, splashing the fruit dye at Kiri with an exaggerated motion.

The three of them shared a brief chuckle, the sound echoing lightly in the stillness of the mountain ledge. It was a small moment of levity, something Raven was grateful for in the midst of all the uncertainty surrounding them. But their laughter was soon interrupted by the distant screech of Ikran wings slicing through the air. The unmistakable sound grew louder, drawing their attention upward.

Raven's heart skipped as she looked up, her eyes scanning the sky for the war party. The sound of powerful wings cut through the air as a group of Ikran soared above, their riders expertly guiding them toward the landing site. Raven's stomach churned with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety, the sight of the returning warriors a bitter reminder of the battle that had just unfolded.

"They're coming! Kiri, Raven, Spider!" Tuk's voice rang out urgently, her small form running toward them, her eyes wide with excitement. "The war party's coming back! Come on, come on."

Without a second thought, Raven sprinted forward with Spider, Tuk and Kiri, the four of them moving swiftly toward the Ikran as they prepared to land. Raven's heart raced in anticipation, the joy of seeing her family clouding her mind as she sprinted towards them. She could barely contain her excitement—finally, her brothers, her father, and Neytiri would be back safe after what felt like an eternity.

But then, the smile that had formed on her lips faltered.

Jake's Ikran landed first, and Raven's eyes immediately fixed on the Avatar. He was carrying Neteyam on his Ikran. This can't be good. Jake always rode alone.

Raven's heart sank. The blood drained from her face as she rushed forward, her feet barely keeping pace with her thoughts. Her breath caught in her throat, and an icy wave of panic surged through her. Neteyam. What happened?

When Raven, Spider, Kiri and Tuk reached their family, the mountain ledge where they stood was breathtaking, stretching out into the vast horizon of miles upon miles of treetops below. The air was crisp, carrying the earthy scent of Pandora's forests and the soft whispers of wind through the tall trees.

Anyone who looked out from this high perch would see only the beauty of nature, the way the clouds touched the canopy in the distance. But for Raven, Kiri, and the rest of their family, the stunning view felt far from peaceful.

Raven's gaze was fixed entirely on Neteyam as he dismounted from his Ikran, pain evident in the way he moved. Kiri was already at his side, checking him over with quick, practiced hands, but Raven was frozen for a moment. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her stomach twisted in dread as she saw the large, ugly gash on his back. Blood was seeping through parts his clothes, staining the once pristine fabric. She couldn't tear her eyes away from it.

"Fall in." Jake demanded Neteyam and Lo'ak. "You're supposed to be spotters. You spot bogeys, and you call 'em in. From a distance! Does any of this sound familiar? Jesus. I let you two geniuses fly a mission, and you disobey direct orders."

"Neteyam..." Raven muttered worriedly as she approached him, her fingertips gently grazing across the gash. She winced at the sight of it, wanting so badly to do something to ease his pain, but knowing she couldn't.

"I'm fine." Neteyam assured them quietly, trying to ease their concern despite the blood that had soaked through his clothes.

"Kiri, Raven, can you go help your grandmother with the wounded? Please?" Jake asked, as if he were trying to keep the situation under control.

"Our brother is wounded." Kiri protested.

"It's fine." Neteyam said quietly, though the sharpness of pain was evident in his eyes. He didn't want his sisters to worry, but he knew they would never be at ease unless they saw him safe.

"Girls, please. Tuk, go with them. Go." Jake insisted, not giving them much of a choice.

Tuk and Kiri let out a heavy sigh in unison, their frustration clear as they rolled their eyes at the situation. They didn't want to leave their family, especially not with Neteyam injured, but there was no arguing with their father. He had made it clear that they needed to help their grandmother.

Despite their reluctance, the sisters exchanged one last, worried look at their older brother before they turned and began walking toward the wounded soldiers, their steps slow and heavy.

As they moved away, Neteyam turned toward his father, standing tall despite the blood trickling down his back. "Dad.. Sir. I take full responsibility."

"Yeah, you do. That's right. Cause you're the oldest brother. You gotta act like it." Jake scolded.

Neytiri approached behind Neteyam, her movements quiet but purposeful. She placed a hand on his shoulder before her gaze shifted to Jake. "Ma'Jake. Your son is actually bleeding."

Neteyam shook his head slightly "Mother, it's fine. I..."

"Just go and get patched up. Go on, dismissed." Jake told his son. Neteyam, respecting his father's wishes, nodded obediently before walking off with Neytiri, who kept a watchful eye on him as they left. The air between father and son felt thick with unsaid words, but now there was only Lo'ak left standing in front of Jake. Lo'ak's gaze dropped to the ground, his face flushed with guilt. He knew he'd messed up, and the weight of his father's disappointment was heavy on his shoulders. "You do understand that you almost got your brother killed."

"Yes, sir." Lo'ak muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He wasn't sure if it was the guilt, the pain from the battle, or his father's harsh words, but he felt small in this moment—like he couldn't do anything right.

Jake took a long breath, clearly frustrated, before making his next decision. "You're grounded. No flying for a month. Now, see to the Ikran. All of 'em."

Lo'ak nodded. "Yes, sir."

"And get that crap off your face." Jake added in disdain, gesturing to the orange war paint on his son's face.

Lo'ak's eyes flickered toward the ground, a mix of anger and shame surging through him. He didn't know what hurt more—the pain of his father's harsh words or the deep, unshakable feeling that he was always falling short.

As Lo'ak turned to walk away, Raven stood beside him. Her expression was a mixture of disbelief and concern. She couldn't believe how harsh Jake was being, especially when Lo'ak was only trying his best to make him proud. Raven frowned, watching Lo'ak's shoulders slump under the weight of his father's anger.

She could tell Lo'ak was trying so hard to impress Jake, to be the son his father wanted him to be. But no matter how hard he tried, it always felt like it wasn't enough. She placed a hand on his shoulder, a small act of solidarity in the face of the unfairness.

"It's not right." Raven muttered, her voice barely audible. "You've been doing your best, Lo'ak. You don't deserve that."

Lo'ak didn't respond immediately, but the brief, appreciative glance he gave her spoke volumes. He appreciated her support, even if it couldn't change what had just happened. All he could do now was follow his father's orders and try to prove himself once again—one task at a time.

••••

Later that night, the small hut was filled with the sounds of quiet conversation and the faint smell of medicinal herbs.

Inside, Mo'at, the Tsahìk of the Omatikaya clan, was tending to a wounded Neteyam. Her hands moved gracefully as she worked, applying various healing plants to his injury. Mo'at had always been the spiritual heart of their family, her deep connection to Eywa allowing her to heal both body and soul.

Raven watched her grandmother work, a soft smile on her face. Ever since Raven was a child, Mo'at had taken care of her like she was her own, offering comfort, wisdom and love. Even now, as an adolescent, Raven felt the deep bond between them—a connection that had grown over the years, rooted in the kind of love that only family could give. Mo'at had always been patient, kind and wise. She had been a second mother to Raven, guiding her through every step of life with grace and understanding.

"Ow. Ow!" Neteyam winced in pain as Mo'at carefully treated his wound.

"Aw, want a kiss on the boo-boo?" Spider teased, leaning in as though to mock comfort.

Raven rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly,. "Don't tease. He's actually hurt."

"I would use yalna bark." Kiri advised, her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at her grandmother.

Mo'at raised an eyebrow at her granddaughter's boldness. "Oh, you would? And who is Tsahik?"

"You are, Grandmother." Kiri responded without hesitation. She got up from her spot, walking over to Mo'at and sitting beside her. She carefully placed the herb against Neteyam's wound. "But yalna bark is better."

Neteyam let out another wince as the herb was applied. "Ow, ow! Ow."

"It stings less." Kiri added.

"Mighty Warrior." Lo'ak teased, watching his older brother with a grin. He enjoyed the lighthearted moments, even if they came at the expense of his brother's discomfort.

Raven couldn't help but smile at her family's antics. Even in moments like these, when they were gathered together in a tiny hut, their laughter and teasing was a reminder of how tightly knit they all were. Despite the tensions that arose now and then, the love they shared was unconditional, constant. She could feel it in the air—how they all cared for each other, how each of them, in their own way, added something irreplaceable to the family's dynamic.

As she sat there, watching her siblings bicker playfully and Mo'at continuing to tend to Neteyam's wound, Raven couldn't imagine life without them. She had been blessed with a family that loved her so deeply, a family that never let her go anywhere alone, that always supported her no matter what. Jake and Neytiri, her parents by heart, had given her everything she needed, and Mo'at had loved her endlessly. Together, they had shaped her world—taught her the values of kindness, strength, and the importance of family.

She grew up knowing that family wasn't just a bond; it was everything. The values they instilled in her were more than lessons—they were the foundation of who she was. The way they loved her, the way they protected each other, it was something she knew she could always rely on.

Her family was her heart. She loved each of them—Jake, Neytiri, Mo'at, and even the more difficult ones like Lo'ak, who would tease her endlessly but also always have her back when it counted. They were her partners in crime, her moral compass, her protectors, and her role models. As much as they could drive her crazy at times, there was never a moment where Raven doubted their devotion to her. And for that, she was endlessly grateful.

Raven leaned back against the hut's wall, taking in the sounds of her family surrounding her, their laughter and warmth filling her with a sense of peace. She was home. She was loved. And nothing could ever change that.

__________________
PUBLISHED: 1.7.23

A/N: I particularly enjoyed this chapter as it delves deeper into Raven and Spider's relationship.
The story will now transition directly into the events of the Avatar: The Way of Water film.
I hope you enjoyed it!,